CMS Controls

What CMS Controls does

CMS Controls is a U.S. building automation and controls integrator founded in 1971 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, operating through seven regional offices (Marietta GA, Summerville SC, Charlotte NC, four Ohio branches, Pittsburgh PA, and a Mid-Atlantic NJ office) under the Service Logic parent. The company designs, installs, commissions, and services building automation systems for commercial office buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, industrial sites, and other critical-environment customers across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Its core technology stack is a product-agnostic, open-protocol building automation platform built on Tridium Niagara AX/N4, BACnet, LONworks, Modbus, and XML, supporting integration with equipment from OEMs including Distech Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Trend Controls, Trane, and ACI. CMS is a certified Niagara integrator with multi-year affiliations with Novar/Trend and Distech, and it layers a proprietary analytics and remote-monitoring service called Building Sentinel on top of these platforms. Service offerings span DDC programming, systems integration, lighting controls and retrofits, remote monitoring, thermal imaging and vibration analysis, energy analysis and LEED consulting, and web-based graphical user interfaces.

Revenue is generated through four intertwined streams: one-time project installations (multi-million dollar installations down to smaller facility updates), recurring preventative maintenance and full-service contracts, 24/7 managed remote monitoring and Building Sentinel subscriptions, and professional services such as energy audits and LEED consulting. Distribution is entirely direct via regionally staffed enterprise field sales with a "single point of contact" project methodology, supplemented by referrals from Service Logic sibling mechanical firms (Air Force One, Maxair Mechanical, Carolina Chillers, Huckestein) and utility channels such as Duke Energy's Energy Efficiency for Business Trade Ally program.

Name

CMS Controls

Legal name

CMS Controls

Website

https://cms-controls.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Raleigh, NC, CMS Controls is a building automation integrator that designs, installs, and services open-protocol HVAC, lighting, and energy management systems for commercial, healthcare, industrial, and institutional customers across seven U.S. regional offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Automation Systems Integration

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513)

SIC

Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial HVAC Maintenance Agreements & PM Programs (HSAOAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

I&C / Controls & Automation Commissioning (DCS/PLC/SCADA) (EUAEAJAD)

Keywords

• Building automation systems
• HVAC controls
• Energy management services
• Lighting controls retrofit
• Systems integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Building Controls Installation: Design and installation of building automation systems for new construction and retrofits. Ranges from large multi-million dollar installations to smaller facility update projects. Revenue recognized upon project completion.
2. Service and Maintenance Contracts: Full service and preventative maintenance contract options. Preventative maintenance includes regular visits with factory-trained technicians. Full service includes preventative maintenance plus emergency service labor and parts within annual budget. Recurring revenue from annual contracts.
3. Remote Monitoring Services: 24/7 remote monitoring for critical uptime performance. Includes remote troubleshooting, alarm notifications via email/pagers/devices. Provides peace of mind for critical facilities.
4. Energy Analysis and Consulting: Energy usage analysis by Certified Energy Engineers (CEM), energy audits, utility bill analysis, LEED consulting. Identifies equipment and processes consuming most energy and provides cost-effective solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CMS Controls designs, installs, programs, and services open-protocol building automation systems (BAS) for commercial, healthcare, educational, industrial, and institutional facilities across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States through seven regional offices. Core deliverables include DDC controls programming and commissioning, systems integration, 24/7 remote monitoring via its proprietary Building Sentinel platform, lighting controls and retrofits, energy analysis and LEED consulting, and ongoing preventative maintenance contracts. The company operates as a product-agnostic systems integrator certified across major open-platform vendor lines.

Product overview

CMS Controls is a building automation and controls company offering a comprehensive suite of services and products for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. The core platform includes Building Sentinel, a building analytics and monitoring platform that provides 24/7 infrastructure monitoring with proactive optimization of comfort, energy, and reliability. CMS Controls operates as a product-agnostic solutions provider, partnering with multiple building automation brands including Distech Controls, Tridium, Honeywell, Johnson Controls/Facility Explorer, Siemens TALON, Trend Controls, Novar, and others to deliver flexible, open-protocol building automation systems. The company's service offerings span control services, building controls (DDC programming and commissioning), building automation, building analytics, systems integration (BACnet, Modbus, LONworks), remote monitoring, non-destructive testing (thermal imaging, vibration analysis), lighting controls and retrofits, energy analysis and ESS (with LEED consulting), and web-based user interface solutions. Founded in 1971, CMS Controls provides services through regional offices across Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Building Sentinel A proprietary 24/7 building analytics and monitoring platform that proactively optimizes comfort, energy, and reliability using developed rules and algorithms, minimizing required effort from property managers. Sold to commercial building owners, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and industrial facilities.
• Building Controls (DDC programming, commissioning, and installation) Design, installation, programming, and commissioning of Direct Digital Controls (DDC) and building automation systems for new construction and retrofits of commercial, healthcare, industrial, and institutional facilities. Ranges from large multi-million-dollar installations to smaller facility upgrades.
• Service and Maintenance Contracts Recurring preventative and full-service maintenance contracts for building automation systems. Preventative maintenance includes regular visits with factory-trained technicians; full-service adds emergency labor and parts within an annual budget. Sold to existing CMS Controls customers.
• Remote Monitoring Services 24/7 managed remote monitoring for critical facilities, including remote troubleshooting and alarm notifications via email, pagers, and devices. Designed to provide peace of mind for critical uptime performance in healthcare, data center, and other mission-critical environments.
• Systems Integration (Open Protocol) Multi-vendor systems integration using open protocols (BACnet, LONworks, Modbus, XML, Niagara AX/N4) to integrate disparate building systems onto a single platform for facilities of any size.
• Lighting Controls and Retrofits Design and installation of lighting control systems that can operate standalone or be integrated into the total building automation system. Sold to commercial buildings and institutional facilities seeking energy-efficient lighting.
• Energy Analysis and ESS (LEED Consulting) Energy audits, utility bill analysis, and LEED consulting performed by Certified Energy Engineers (CEM) to identify energy-consuming equipment and processes and provide cost-effective solutions. Sold to building owners pursuing energy cost reduction and LEED certification.
• Web-Based Graphical User Interface Web-based graphical user interface for building controls that enables management of entire campuses from any internet-enabled device, with 3D simulations, floor plans, interactive equipment graphics, and component visualization. Provided to commercial and institutional customers as part of new BAS installations or retrofits.
• Building Automation Solutions (Smart Buildings) End-to-end smart building automation solutions that integrate HVAC, lighting, fire alarm, and other building systems onto a unified platform using open protocol technology for customized facility applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30%+ reduction in HVAC energy consumption
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Service LogiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Parent company Service Logic provides CMS Controls with access to a full team of controls engineers, mechanical/electrical/project engineers, and HVAC service technicians. Service Logic comprises six control companies totaling over $40 million in revenue, enabling shared best practices across the EDGE (Employee Development Growth and Education) program.
• Distech ControlscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1971Long-standing technology partnership with Distech Controls, a leading provider of building management technologies. Distech's open protocol platform built on Niagara AX and N4 enables integration with any equipment manufacturer. CMS is a certified Distech Controls Authorized System Integrator from 2016-2024 consecutively, and received Distech Platinum Member Award in 2020.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1971Strategic technology partner for building automation and controls. CMS received Siemens New Partner of the Year in 2014 and Siemens Field Devices Crystal Award - Highest Revenue Winner in 2020. Siemens TALON Workstation provides building management functions including scheduling, alarming, trending, and energy management.
• TridiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for Niagara AX and N4 platforms. Tridium products allow diverse monitoring, control and automation systems to communicate and collaborate. CMS is recognized as one of the first certified Niagara integrations in multiple states with 15+ year affiliation.
• HoneywellsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Honeywell for building automation solutions. Honeywell provides multi-site energy management technologies through Novar brand with 30+ years of innovation leadership.
• Johnson ControlssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for Johnson Controls Facility Explorer system - a game-changing building automation system delivering exceptional capability and scalability. CMS is factory certified Niagara N4/AX and Johnson Controls Facility Explorer value partner.
• Air Force OnecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOhio-based commercial HVAC & facilities services provider. Air Force One partnership provides CMS Controls with access to mechanical installation capabilities and shared customer relationships. CMS Controls Ohio spun off from Air Force One in 2023.
• Maxair MechanicalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParent company partnership. CMS Controls Atlanta spun off from Maxair Mechanical on March 2nd, 2020 to provide in-house building automation solutions for Georgia organizations.
• Carolina ChillerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParent company partnership. CMS Controls Charleston spun off from Carolina Chillers on October 1st, 2021 to provide in-house building automation solutions for South Carolina organizations.
• Huckestein MechanicalsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPittsburgh-based mechanical services partner. CMS Controls Pittsburgh partners with Huckestein for HVAC services and mechanical contractor relationships in Pennsylvania.
• Trend ControlssecondaryTechnology or Integration15-year affiliation with Novar Controls Corporation for Trend Controls distribution. CMS is recognized as one of the first certified distributors of Trend Controls in the United States. Trend Integrated Open Supervisor (TIOS) provides building energy management system front-end supervisor.
• Acuity BrandssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for lighting controls and retrofit solutions. In partnership with Distech and Acuity, CMS designs lighting control systems that operate standalone or integrate into total building automation systems.
• Duke EnergysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy efficiency partnership through Duke Energy's Energy Efficiency for Business program. Trade Ally partnership helping businesses learn about energy-efficiency programs and incentives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Control Solutions Inc. Independent building automation and systems integration firm serving commercial and institutional facilities in the Midwest and Southeast. Directly comparable as a product-agnostic BAS integrator with open-protocol expertise and service-contract recurring revenue.
• BuildingLogiX: Niche building analytics and energy services firm specializing in Niagara-based monitoring, fault detection, and continuous commissioning. Comparable to CMS's Building Sentinel offering and recurring remote-monitoring revenue model.
• CEG Solutions: Building optimization and energy services company providing BAS integration, commissioning, and ongoing monitoring to commercial and institutional customers. Comparable in delivery of energy-efficiency outcomes and recurring remote-monitoring services to CMS.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Building Technologies: Global incumbent in building management systems, HVAC controls, and energy services. Comparable as a competing direct-sales BAS provider and Trend/Novar parent that influences CMS's go-to-market positioning as a product-agnostic alternative.
• Ainsworth: Building technology services provider delivering HVAC, building automation, electrical, and mechanical services across North America. Comparable business model combining controls integration with mechanical services and recurring maintenance, similar in structure to CMS Controls.
• Convergint Technologies: Large North American systems integrator covering security, building automation, fire, and life safety across enterprise customers. Comparable to CMS as a multi-region BAS/controls integrator with both project and recurring service revenue.
• Johnson Controls: Global building technology incumbent offering Facility Explorer, Metasys, and end-to-end services. Comparable as both an OEM partner (Facility Explorer value partner) and a direct competitor for enterprise BAS contracts.
• Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Global BAS and digital industries provider, including the TALON/Desigo platforms. Comparable as both a key technology partner (CMS is Siemens Crystal Award winner) and a direct competitor for large commercial and healthcare projects.
• Automated Logic (Carrier): Major building automation manufacturer and direct-installed services provider owned by Carrier. Comparable as both a competing platform and a competitor for direct BAS contracts that CMS historically won as a third-party integrator.

Emerging players

• Lynxspring: Building IoT and analytics platform company focused on Niagara-based edge-to-cloud solutions for smart buildings. Comparable as an open-protocol technology partner/integrator serving the same Niagara ecosystem CMS deploys.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CMS_Controls
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cms-controls/posts/?feedView=all

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CMS Controls